The Government’s refusal to accept Sinn Féin proposals to guarantee access to mental health services regardless of diagnosis or background has been sharply criticised following this week’s Dáil debate on the Mental Health Bill.
Speaking during the committee stage of the Bill, Waterford TD Conor D. McGuinness said:
“The principle of no wrong door must be central to any modern mental health system. When someone reaches out for help — whether they’re struggling with addiction, a developmental diagnosis like autism, or another issue — they should never be told to go elsewhere. Mental health supports must meet people where they are.”
The Sinn Féin spokesperson on Community Development and Rural Affairs condemned the Government’s failure to back a series of Sinn Féin amendments designed to strengthen access to mental health care and embed the principle of early, inclusive intervention.
“The Minister of State with responsibility for mental health, Mary Butler, had an opportunity to back sensible, rights-based improvements — and she refused. It’s deeply disappointing, but sadly not surprising,” he said.
Deputy McGuinness also highlighted the absence of any Fine Gael TDs from the debate.
“Not one Fine Gael TD attended the four-hour debate. Not one of them made a contribution. That tells you everything about their priorities when it comes to mental health.”
He said the Sinn Féin amendments aimed to put an end to the current practice where individuals are often turned away from services and told to resolve other issues before returning — a situation he described as “unacceptable in the modern age.”
“We’ve all heard the stories — a young person struggling with both addiction and mental health issues told they need to sort the addiction first. Or someone with suspected autism told they can’t access support until they have a formal diagnosis, and then left in limbo. That is not care. It is not a rights-based approach. It is a system that turns people away.”
Sinn Féin has called for a fundamental shift in how mental health is approached — from underfunded crisis response to early intervention and accessible, community-based care.
“People deserve better. They deserve a system that doesn’t punish complexity but responds to it with care, respect and support. That’s what our amendments were about — and it’s what we’ll keep fighting for.”
Conor D. McGuinness TD 